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Sound Levels and Spectra of Rock Music

The results of a survey of the sound levels encountered by attendees of rock-music entertainment are presented. Recordings were made at several discotheques, nightclubs, and band parties. These recordings were later analyzed for overall sound levels, octave-band levels, and peak-to-average level ratios. Perceived noise level, composite damage risk, and A-, B-, C-, and D-weighted levels were calculated from octave-band levels by means of a special FORTRAN program. Comparisons are made of the variations in levels over an evening, from evening to evening, and from location to location.